YIMFY: A Centre for Appropriate Building Technology
in New Zealand
Min Hall and Graeme North
Build a Better New Zealand Conference, Auckland, 2014
Photo: G.North
WISE Building, CAT Wales
Appropriate Technology means technology
that is suited to time, place, culture and
environment, using local materials to do useful
work in ways that do the least possible harm.
Appropriate Building Technology includes
Natural Building or Alternative Building and refers to
materials and systems that are:
minimally processed
readily available
renewable
recyclable
or recycled
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Building Consents for All Dwellings Nelson/ Tasman 1991-2010
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Building Consents for Earth/Straw Bale Dwellings Nelson/Tasman 1991-2010
MArch thesis: M.Hall 2012
Exploratory and experimental building is difficult to
carry out in New Zealand
 Resource Management Act - TAs can establish a zone for experimental or
demonstration buildings
 Building Act – TAs can grant a building consent subject to a waiver or
modification to NZBC
FEB Experimental Field
Kassel University, Germany
Mussel Shell and Green Roof
Friland, Denmark
Unitec Students at Bio Build Earth Building Workshop 2013
A Centre for Appropriate Building Technology
in New Zealand
2010 Winston Churchill Fellowship – Study trip to Europe
2011 “Appropriate Building Technology, YIMBY – Yes In My Back Yard”
WCMF Report 10 www.communitymatters.govt.nz
YIMFY – Yes! In My Front Yard
W2W Site
Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood
Ranui, West Auckland
www.earthsong.org.nz
From YIMFY Vision Document
“Our vision is to develop a centre that supports and
promotes the use of environmentally restorative
building materials and systems.
The YIMFY Centre will have two main areas of
focus:
 a centre for coordination of research, advice,
and advocacy;
 a destination site, built using successful
natural building methods employing
appropriate technology, for demonstration,
display, and education of groups and
individuals.”
International examples
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CAT in Wales, UK
Eden Project in Cornwall, UK
FEB at University of Kassel, Germany
BRE CICM at University of Bath, UK
Genesis Centre in Somerset, UK
Craterre, Grenoble, France
Friland, Denmark
Web based organisations
 DCAT Tucson Arizona, USA
 EB Network, California, USA
Key factors to consider
 A living/working site
 An educational site
 A demonstration site
 An experimental site
 A mixed site
CAT Centre for Alternative Technology
Wales
www.cat.org.uk
CAT Wales
CAT Wales
EDEN PROJECT
CORNWALL, UNITED KINGDOM
www.edenproject.com
FEB Experimental Building Field
University of Kassel, Germany
University of Bath
BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials
Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering
www.bath.ac.uk/ace/research/cicm
Genesis Centre, Somerset College UK
www.genesisproject.com
“an open, collaborative group of
builders, scientists, architects and
engineers
sharing
the
best
knowledge we can find for
everyone's benefit. Here you will
find practical technical guidance for
designing and constructing better
buildings, wherever you are.”
Development Centre for
Appropriate Technology
www.dcat.net
Ecological Building Network
www.ecobuildnetwork.org
Learning from International Examples
Demonstration Sites
 Standard of presentation is critical
 Set up for short-term visitors
Educational and Experimental Sites
 External (invisible) relationships important
 Some control of on-site activity can be lost
 Local Spin-offs
 Adjacent/satellite areas - innovate, research and experiment
 Integration of Permaculture gardens
 Repository of essential knowledge
 A web-based knowledge and information base is vital to the
success of any 21st Century Appropriate Technology Centre
 Vision and Visionary Team
 Suitable Site
 Inspirational Design
 Sound Business Plan
 Good management
 Good publicity
 Adherence to regulations
 Elements of work/live
 Integration with permaculture
gardens
 Areas for research,
experimentation, demonstration,
and education
Unitec Studio Project: Kai Zhao
Yimfy: Areas of Work
 Design and build a display centre
 Host talks, workshops, demonstrations and hands-on
training
 Link, coordinate and generate research in appropriate
building methods throughout New Zealand
 Make that information available
 Support the development of affordable, effective and
culturally appropriate methods to improve existing buildings.
 Provide expertise to support both owner-builders and
construction professionals.
 Work to get appropriate systems accepted for NZ Building
Code compliance.
 Coordinate and cooperate with overseas centres doing
similar work.
Unitec Studio Project: James Ure
Brief
 Yimfy Admin
 Exhibition space
 Lecture theatre
 Library
 Demonstration
 Retail
 Offices
 Café
 Permaculture
Gardens
Library
Supermarket
Medical Centre
Unitec Studio Project: James Ure
Unitec Studio Project: Natasha Renowden
Unitec Studio Project: James Ure
The YIMFY Trust – what next?
 Establish a Business Plan
 Seek funding for various activities
 Establish a co-ordinating office
 Set up website and data bases
 Seek partnerships and relationships with allied
organisations and individuals, local and international
 Present at relevant conferences – BBNZ, EBANZ ,
AUSBALE, and the upcoming International Straw Building
Conference (ISBC) in Methven in 2016
 Design, build and run a YIMFY Centre
YIMFY: A Centre for Appropriate Building Technology
in New Zealand
Min Hall and Graeme North
Build a Better New Zealand Conference, Auckland, 2014
Photo: G.North
WISE Building, CAT Wales